Candy Review: Jitterbeans (aka Crackheads Squared) Plus Giveaway

Monday, February 16, 2009 - by Jamie

For those of us who can’t function in the morning without at least two cups of coffee, (or, in my case, a giant Red Bull), the idea of a product that promises the awesomeness of candy plus the benefits of caffeine is hard to beat. And for hardcore caffeinated Candy Addicts, Jitterbeans (or Crackheads Squared) are a dream come true.

I first came across the original Crackheads at last year’s All Candy Expo. The name alone had caused quite a stir, as you can imagine, but as Brian noted in his review of the original Crackheads, it was the addition of white chocolate that really set Crackheads apart from other chocolate covered espresso beans. What I like about the original Crackheads is the sweetness of the chocolate; both the dark and white chocolate used provide a soft, sugary shell for the bitter, crunchy bean within, creating a nice balance of tastes and textures.

Crackheads Squared, or Jitterbeans, as they are alternately known, amp up the taste, texture, and caffeine levels of the original Crackheads. One box of Jitterbeans has 600mg of caffeine – that’s more than 11 colas, 7.5 Red Bulls, or 6 cups of coffee. In other words, you might not want to eat an entire box at once, lest you end up like Jessie Spano on Saved by the Bell.

The difference between Crackheads and Jitterbeans is noticeable as soon as you open the box: whereas the original Crackheads had a softer appearance, with the white chocolate pieces taking on a slightly vanilla color, Jitterbeans are shiny and bright, and have more of a crunch to them than their predecessor. The coffee taste is more pronounced in Jitterbeans; here, the espresso is definitely the star, and the chocolate to coffee bean ration is tipped in its favor, which is a plus or minus, depending on which flavor you really prefer.

Personally, I enjoy the original Crackheads a bit more, but only because I’m the type of person who loads her coffee with sugar and milk to drown out the strong coffee taste, and the originals tend to allow more of the sweet, chocolaty flavor to come through. However, I will say this: both Crackheads and Jitterbeans get the job done, kids. I followed the recommended serving of 7 pieces and felt as if I’d had my morning Red Bull (without which, I usually get grumpy, sluggish, and pretty bad headaches). I was alert, awake, and ready to go. And to be quite honest with you, I’ll take any excuse I can get to be able to say, “I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve had my morning candy.” Because what Candy Addict doesn’t want to start the day like that?

BONUS: We’re giving away a Crackheads gift pack too! One lucky winner will win a Crackheads T-shirt, 3 boxes of original Crackheads, and one box of new Crackheads Squared. All you have to do is answer one simple question. “What city did Crackheads originate in?” (hint – look on the Crackheads Candy website). Email your answer to jitterbeans@candyaddict.com. One lucky winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. FINE PRINT: Entries must be received by midnight EST, Friday, Feb 20. Contest open to US residents 18 years or older only. One entry per email address. Not responsible for misdirected/unanswered emails. If winner doesn’t respond to the winning email in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.

• Jitterbeans Candy Website

Buy Jitterbeans/Crackheads Online:

• at Think Geek
• at Amazon.com